Workshops and Presentations

The topics below represent Linda’s workshop or presentation specialties. The time allotted for workshops can be somewhat flexible.

If your particular topic is not listed here, Linda is flexible. Given ample lead time (six weeks), she could try to meet your needs. Feel free to ask!

*Adobe InDesign for Desktop Publishing Like the Pros

Journalism teachers students nationwide will be using Adobe’s InDesign as the new tool for school newspapers, annuals, flyers, posters and more. Participants will learn the exciting and creative features of this easy-to-learn tool by having hands-on guided practice with provided sample files. Participants will learn how to do a complete multiple page newsletter, including master pages, images, text frames, special effects and more, and then learn to output the project to an interactive PDF or a SWF file for the Web.
*This workshop was named as one of the “Best of NECC” at the National Educational Computing Conference 2005 in Philadelphia and also 2009 in Washington D.C.

25 InDesign Tips and Tricks from the Pros

For those who are already using InDesign and want to learn more techniques. Take your students to the next level with lots of tips and tricks that will save time on every project. You should already be comfortable with text and graphic frames, placing text and graphics, using paragraph styles and master pages.

ePUB Essentials for InDesign Rookies

Adobe InDesign is an amazing application for creating ePUB documents for eBooks on the iPad. For casual users or beginners who are a little intimidated by InDesign, creating eBooks may seem like a daunting task. This workshop will cover just the InDesign skills needed to create ePUB documents in an easy-to-understand step-by-step hands-on fashion so that participants will leave the session ready to write and publish. (Appropriate for version CS6 or CC.)

Digital Imaging for Rookies with Photoshop Elements

Integrating digital images can add impact to any lesson. Participants in the workshop will learn basic photo corrections (lighting, color correction, red-eye, healing tool, scratch removal), understand size and resolution issues, learn to work with layers for adding enhancements, and learn the power of combining images for creative classroom project ideas. Participants will have hands-on practice with provided sample files and will leave the session with motivating curriculum integration ideas gained through sharing and brainstorming. Student projects will be shared during the workshop that show how projects with digital images and visual creativity help meet curriculum standards. Informative web sites having ideas and lesson plans will also be shared.

*Advanced Digital Imaging with Photoshop Elements

Learn how to create powerful classroom projects with Photoshop Elements. Participants will learn to work with layers for doing animation, adding enhancements, text, filters or effects, and learn the power of combining images for creative classroom project ideas. Participants will have hands-on practice with provided sample files and will leave the session with motivating curriculum integration ideas gained through sharing and brainstorming. Informative web sites with lesson plan ideas will be shared and student samples will be shown.
*This workshop was named as one of the “Best of NECC 2007” at the National Educational Computing Conference 2007 in Atlanta.

Things You Didn’t Know Photoshop Elements Could Do!

The affordability of this creative and powerful digital image creation and editing tool has made it increasingly popular with educators. See lots of new tips, tricks, project ideas and new features. Topics will include new photo-retouching techniques, more ways to combine images, new tools and creative ways to share projects. Many of these project ideas were posted by Linda on the Adobe Education Exchange (free account required).

Incredible Interactive PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Pro

Participants will learn to create interactive portable document format (PDF) files with Adobe Acrobat Pro software including all the enhancements: bookmarks, thumbnails, links, annotations, document security and form fields. See how users of the free Adobe Reader program can interact and collaborate with PDFs created in Acrobat Pro, including saving and submitting form information, commenting, and more. Learn to combine PDFs for portfolios, export a PDF to Word, or take a PDF made from a Word form and automatically recognize form fields. See how you can easily collect form data and export it to a spreadsheet. These and other amazing new features will change the way educators communicate and collaborate! See creative and successful uses of PDF files for education.

Even You can Make a Movie with Adobe Premiere Elements

Tell a story, do a documentary, record a PSA and more. Premiere Elements is now available for Mac and Windows! Use the Sceneline for basic video editing with younger students, or use the Timeline to add multiple video tracks, animate clips using keyframes, add text for rolling credits, or use amazing transitions and effects. Output the movie to Flash for the Web, complete with DVD menus for scene selections.

Photoshop for Rookies

Photoshop beginners will learn to edit images like the pros using techniques including size/resolution, red-eye, glare, teeth whitening, shadows, color correction and more! Participants will learn efficient ways to use selection tools, how to use and manage layers, and how to combine these skills to create fun student projects and lesson plans.

Desktop Design Basics

This workshop is designed for anyone doing newsletters, flyers, brochures, worksheets and handouts who have little or no training in design concepts. The workshop is not platform or software specific, and doesn’t require the use of a computer lab. By attending this workshop, participants will be able to recognize basic rules of good page design; learn to make effective choices for fonts, justification, line spacing, and other text attributes; learn to use graphic elements effectively (photos, clip art, rule lines, drop caps and more); be able to apply the concepts to any computer platform using any software; and be able to compare and contrast design concepts for print publishing versus web publishing.